EPA Reconsiders Decision To Allow Use Of Controversial Animal Poison

​The EPA says will "re-evaluate" its authorization of M-44 devices and sodium cyanide, which are meant to stop predators from killing livestock.

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The EPA announced it will "re-evaluate" the use of M-44 devices to kill animals that prey on livestock.

In a statement, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the agency would withdraw his agency's interim registration review decision on sodium cyanide, the poison used in M-44 devices, because the issue "warrants further analysis and additional discussions by EPA with the registrants of this predacide."

M-44 devices use springs to eject pellets of sodium cyanide poison into the mouths of predatory animals, such as foxes and coyotes. The devices are often smeared with bait meant to attract predators. Fifteen states have authorized the use of the device.

At issue is the EPA's finding that "some bird and mammal species may have direct exposure to M-44 baits" even though they're not the intended targets.